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UncategorizedCamden Alchanati

Can I Get Married Without My Birth Certificate?

When planning a wedding—especially a fast, same-day wedding—one of the first questions many people ask is, “Can I get married without my birth certificate?” The short answer is yes, in many cases, especially if you’re getting married in California. But depending on your situation, location, and whether you’re an international couple or applying for immigration benefits, the details matter.

At Get Married Today, we help couples navigate this question daily. Whether you’ve lost your birth certificate, you’re a non-citizen without one on hand, or you simply don’t have time to wait for a government agency to send you a new copy, there are alternative ways to get legally married—fast and without stress.

In this blog post, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about getting married without a birth certificate, including:

  • Why some jurisdictions request it
  • Where it’s not required (like California)
  • What documentation is required
  • What to do if you’re an immigrant, non-citizen, or from another state or country
  • Same-day marriage options without a courthouse visit
  • How we help you get legally married without delays—even without a birth certificate
  • Apostille options if you need your marriage recognized internationally

Do You Need a Birth Certificate to Get Married?

In most U.S. states, you do not need to provide a birth certificate in order to get married. Instead, states like California, Nevada, Florida, and New York generally require only a valid form of government-issued photo ID—such as a passport, driver’s license, state ID, or military ID.

The purpose of a birth certificate in the marriage process is usually to:

  • Prove your age
  • Verify your legal name
  • Validate your place of birth if it’s relevant to immigration or citizenship

However, these facts can be verified through other means—especially when you’re applying for a marriage license through a private authorized notary public or deputy commissioner of civil marriages, like at Get Married Today.

California Does NOT Require a Birth Certificate to Get Married

In California, you are not required to provide a birth certificate to obtain a marriage license.

Instead, the required documents are:

  • A valid photo ID (U.S. or foreign)
  • Proof of your identity and legal name
  • (Optional) A divorce decree if you were previously married

That’s it. No birth certificate needed.

This makes California one of the easiest states in the U.S. to get legally married, even if you:

  • Don’t have your birth certificate
  • Are from another country
  • Are undocumented
  • Are rushing to meet a deadline for immigration, military housing, or spousal benefits

Source: Los Angeles County Registrar/Recorder: Marriage License Requirements

What If You Lost Your Birth Certificate?

Don’t worry. If you’ve misplaced your birth certificate or simply don’t have one available, you can still get legally married in California through Get Married Today. Our team is authorized to issue the marriage license directly, without the need to go to the County Clerk or provide a birth certificate.

We meet you at your location—or you can come to one of our locations across Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties. All we need is a valid government-issued ID (from the U.S. or abroad).

What If You’re an Immigrant Without a Birth Certificate?

If you are an immigrant and don’t have a birth certificate with you, you can still get married in California. Here’s how we help:

  • You don’t need a Social Security number to get married. You just mark “not applicable” on the form.
  • You don’t need to show proof of lawful status (e.g., visa or green card).
  • You do not need to present your birth certificate—just a valid ID, such as a passport from your country.

Immigrants often marry in California before submitting paperwork to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). After the marriage, we can also apostille or certify your marriage certificate if you need to submit it to immigration or for use in another country.

Source: USCIS: Family-Based Immigration Requirements

What If You’re a U.S. Citizen But Abroad or From Another State?

If you’re a U.S. citizen but traveling or living abroad—and don’t have your birth certificate with you—you can still fly into California and get married the same day.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • A valid U.S. passport
  • Your prior marriage dissolution paperwork (if applicable)
  • A booked appointment with our team

We’ve helped hundreds of couples from Texas, New York, Mexico, Canada, and the U.K. marry in California quickly—often within 24 hours. We handle all paperwork and provide your marriage license and ceremony in one visit.

What IDs Can I Use Instead of a Birth Certificate?

You can use any of the following:

  • U.S. or foreign passport
  • State-issued ID or driver’s license
  • Consular ID (such as Mexican Matricula Consular)
  • Military ID (U.S. Armed Forces)
  • Permanent Resident Card (green card)

Just make sure the ID is valid (not expired), shows your photo, legal name, and date of birth.

If your ID is expired, let us know—we may still be able to work with you using other documentation or help you update your ID urgently.

Can I Get Married Without a Social Security Number?

Yes. In California, no Social Security number is required to get married. If you don’t have one, you simply mark the field as “Not Applicable.”

This rule makes it easy for:

  • Foreign nationals
  • Undocumented individuals
  • Tourists
  • Immigrants awaiting adjustment of status

to get legally married. This is especially helpful for couples beginning an immigration case such as an I-130 petition or a fiancé/spouse visa application.

Source: California Marriage License FAQ – OC Clerk Recorder

What If You’re in a Hurry and Need to Get Married Today?

That’s exactly what we do at Get Married Today.

We issue your marriage license on the spot, provide a legally binding wedding ceremony, and file your documents with the county the same day.

Our clients choose us when they:

  • Lost their birth certificate
  • Don’t have time to go to the County Clerk
  • Need to submit proof of marriage urgently
  • Are military personnel qualifying for benefits
  • Need same-day legal marriage for immigration
  • Want a simple, courthouse-style elopement

What Happens After the Ceremony?

Once you’re married:

  1. You receive a Proof of Marriage immediately.
  2. We file your marriage license directly with the County Recorder.
  3. We place an order for certified copies of your marriage record to be mailed to your address.
  4. If needed, we can apostille your marriage certificate for international use.

Your official California marriage certificate will arrive by mail in 6–8 weeks. We can rush process if necessary and can even mail it directly to an embassy or international agency.

Can You Apostille My Marriage Certificate Without My Birth Certificate?

Yes. Once your marriage certificate is registered, we can:

  • Request certified copies on your behalf
  • Submit it to the California Secretary of State for apostille
  • Provide translations (if needed)
  • Help you file it with an embassy or consulate

This is crucial if you’re:

  • Getting married to sponsor a foreign spouse
  • Applying for dual citizenship
  • Filing for a visa abroad (e.g., Spain, Mexico, Portugal)

Learn more: Orange County Apostille Services

Why Couples Choose Us When They Don’t Have Their Birth Certificate

Here are the most common reasons people choose Get Married Today when they don’t have a birth certificate:

  • We don’t require it. California law doesn’t mandate it, and we make it easy.
  • We meet you wherever you are. Home, hotel, hospital, park, beach.
  • We issue the license on-site. No courthouse or government office needed.
  • We offer services in English and Spanish.
  • We help with apostille and certified copies.

We specialize in legal, confidential marriages that are valid in all 50 U.S. states and abroad. Everything is handled legally, privately, and fast.

Special Note for Military Members

If you’re active-duty military and need to get married before deployment or PCS, we offer expedited service with military discounts.

You do NOT need to present a birth certificate—just your military ID and a second form of identification, such as a passport or state ID.

We help military couples stationed in:

  • Camp Pendleton
  • March Air Reserve Base
  • Naval Base San Diego
  • Fort Irwin

Book Your Same-Day Marriage—No Birth Certificate Needed

You don’t need to delay your love story because of missing paperwork. We’ve helped thousands of couples get married the same day—even when they thought it was impossible.

If you’re ready to:

✅ Skip the courthouse
✅ Avoid waiting periods
✅ Get legally married today
✅ Apostille your marriage for immigration or international use
✅ Handle everything without a birth certificate

then we’re ready to help you—7 days a week, including weekends and holidays.

Let’s Get Started

🔗 Schedule Your Marriage Appointment Now
📍 We serve all of Southern California: Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside, San Diego
📞 Call or Text: (818) 606-7442
📩 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Website: www.getmarried.today

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